Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Abnormalities in Enthesopathy of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Origin

The Reliability and Validity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis

“…11 Savnik et al commented that, within their patient group, there was no difference in pain level in patients with and without abnormal signal intensity but did not comment on any other functional deficits. 12 We have confirmed in this study, in accordance with previous studies 5,11,12 and the meta-analysis, 14 that the majority of patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic lateral epicondylitis have signal changes on MRI. We have further established that the severity of these changes can be reliably interpreted by different radiologists and at multiple reviews.…”

“…11,12 Studies that have attempted to assess the role of MRI in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis have demonstrated that patients with a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis are statistically more likely to have signal changes on MRI than are controls. 5,11,12 This is confirmed by a meta-analysis showing that MRI signal change occurred in 90% of elbows with lateral epicondylitis compared to only 14% of controls, although 50% of the contralateral elbows in the affected subjects also demonstrated MRI signal change. 14 The series by Potter et al and Steinborn et al found high levels of correlation between MRI assessment and both surgical and histopathological findings.…”

“…3,4 However, van Kollenberg et al recently questioned this proposal due to the high rates of MRI abnormality in the common extensor origin of asymptomatic subjects. 5 If MRI is to be used in planning the management of lateral epicondylitis or in the assessment of disease progression following intervention, its reliability in assessing the severity of this tendinopathy is essential. The validity of MRI must also be determined by examining the correlation of the degree of these signal changes with clinical symptoms.…”

Prognostic Factors of Arthroscopic Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Release for Lateral Epicondylitis

“…A few studies have examined the effects of tendon status on radiologic findings. Van Kollenburg et al 19 reported that signal changes were found on T2-weighted images of the MRI scans of the ECRB tendon in all 24 symptomatic lateral epicondylitis patients, 14 of whom had a partially separated ECRB tendon at the site of origin. Clarke et al 20 used ultrasonography and found that a greater tendon defect led to worse clinical symptoms and prognoses; consequently, many cases required surgical treatment.…”

Upper Extremity Injuries in Tennis Players

“…The differential diagnosis includes radial tunnel syndrome and posterior interosseous nerve entrapment. In cases where the diagnosis is unclear, MR imaging can be used to confirm and plan treatment; however, clinical tests and physical examination are typically sufficient for diagnosis 28 .…”